Primer for pumps and the like



sept. 27, 1949. D. MURPHY l 2,483,019

PRIMER FOR PUMPS AND THE LIKE Filed May 18, 1945 INVENTOR Daniel Murphy Patented Sept. 27, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT 'oFFl PRIMER Fon PUMPS AND THE LIKE Daniel Murphy, New Castle, Pa. Application/May 1s, 1945, serial No. 594,546

My invention relates to pumps for liquid, par ticularly to rotary or centrifugal liquid pumps, and consists in certain new and useful improvements in self-priming means for such-pumps.

In Letters Patent of the United VStates, No. 2,179,858, granted on my application November 14, 1939, I illustrate and describe a rotary pump provided with means for preventing the pump while at rest from becoming gas bound and for rautomatically priming the-pump when it is set in operation. In the pump of such prior patent the inlet passageway of the pump extends Yfrom the supply of liquid being pumped upward toa point above the impeller chamber of the pump, and this passageway includes a check valve, to prevent back drainage or syphonage of the liquid from the pump to the supply of. liquid when pump operation is interrupted. The outlet passageway of the pump extendsupward from .the pump, and in keeping with the invention disclosed in such patent a by-pass is provided from the-,outlet passageway to the inlet passageway, the by-pass opening in the inlet passageway at apoint Vbetween the impeller chamber and the check valve, This by-pass is effective, when the pump is shut down, to permit the gas accumulating in the inlet passageway on the pump side of the check valve to be vented into the outlet passageway of the pump, and it is also effective to provide for a back owof liquid from the outlet passageway into the inlet passageway of the. pump, with the eiect that the pump does not become gas'bound. Furthermore, an adequate body of liquid. is provided in the impeller chamberV and inlet passageway of the pump to establish proper operation when the pump is set in motion.

The by-pass between the inlet and outlet passages of the pump of my earlier patent was formed with relatively small diameter, andthis sometimes resulted in the by-pass becoming clogged in service. Indeed, a feature of the structural organization of my prior patent consisted in the provision of a removal accesselement, whereby the bypass could be readily cleaned either when the pump was in operation or when it' was at rest; My present invention is based on the provision of a non-clog port or by-pass between the inlet and outlet passageways of a pum-p, and the invention consists in certain new and useful improvements in structure and structural organization which are effective not only to eliminate this problem of the clogging by-pass, but additionally toprovide for the regulation of pump capacity or output while the rotor or impeller of the; pump is operated at normal or optimum speed,

9 claims. (c1. 10a-113) `The invention will be understood upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

VFigure 1 is a view partly inl vertical section and partly in side elevation of a pump priming device embodying my present invention. kThe device may be integrally embodied in a pump structure, or it may be constructed as a unit to be` patent. The pump herein is shown partly in side elevationl and partly in axial section, and is in tended merely to` exemplify one of the Imany Y pumps with which, or in-which, the priming device of my present invention may be used.

Referring first to 'Figure 3 of the drawings, the exemplary pump will be understood to comprise a pump body l and a cover plate 2, for-ming an involute pumpchamber of usualtype. A shaft 5 supports a vaned impeller 6 in the chamber 4, and within a cylindrical bodyportion I a of thepumpthe shaft: is supported by a bearing which is described inA Letters Patent No. 2,128,496, granted to me August 30, 1938. The shaftyis coupled to the shaft of anA electric motor, vor other drive (not shown). When the pump is in operation the liquid to be pumped is by the rotating impeller drawn through the pump inlet 1 into the impeller chamber, and is delivered through an outlet 8', thev arrows a and b respectively illustratingl the inflow and delivery of the liquid being-pumped. Y

In accordance with my Ypresent invention, I provide (as mentioned above) a` non-clogport between the inlet and outlet passageways of the pump. This portY opens into the outlet passage- Way from the inletpassageway at a point above the impeller chamber and between the-usual check valve and the impeller chamber` of the pump. Organized with this port is a shutter, or the like, which is arranged to keep the port entirely closed during pump operation at normal or most efficient speed. Means are provided for shifting the shutter and opening the port to yrequired degree when it is desired to start the pump after a period of idleness, with the effect that any accumulated gas in the inlet passageway is ventedY into the outlet passageway of the pump, and a backflow of liquid from the outlet to the inlet passageway primes the pump for` immediate operation. In further accordance with the invention the shutter is arranged to be secured With the porty uncovered a greater or less degree while the pump is in operation, whereby there is a regulated recirculating flow from the outlet to the inlet passageway of the pump. Thus, while the pump is operated at the speed productive of greatest efficiency (either from the standpoint of the power requirements of the pump drive, or of the pressure of the liquid delivered), the output or rate of delivery of the pump may be regulated. As al* ready noted, this improved structural organization may be integrally incorporated in the pump structure per se, or it may be provided as a primer unit to be assembled with any desired pump. In this case, I show the structure as such a unit.

Considering Figure 1, the primer unit consists in a body IQ including inlet and outlet passageways II and I2, enlarged in their extent toto-rm respectively a primer chamber I3 and an outlet chamber I4, separated by a wall or partition I5 thatincludes the non-clog port I6. Thejunit is provided with a ilange 43 arranged to be bolted to the flange G4 of the pump, to secure the unit to the pump, with the inlet passageway II in communication with the inlet 'I of the pump and the passageway I2 connected to the outletr of the pump. This organization will be understood even though the pump is shown on much smaller scale than the primer unit. It will also be understood that the primer unit may be installed at an interval above the pump, with pipes of suitable size connecting the passages II and I2 of the primer unit with inlet and outlet 'I and 8, respectively,

of the pump. Y Y Y The inlet passageway II is connected to the pipe 3|, or other intake, leading from the supply of liquid to be pumped, and aY delivery pipe 33 leads outward or upward from the outlet passageway I2. As usual, a check valve 32 is organized in the line of flow from the supply of liquid to the impeller chamber, and in this case the check valve is provided in an independent housing 30 connected between the intake pipe 3l and the inlet passageway of the primer unit.

A shutter I 'I, or other suitable device, is arranged normally to close the port I 5, and in order to insure tight closure the port is bushed with a bronze seat I8, while the shutter is provided with a facing I9 of rubber, preferably a synthetic rubber such asneoprene. The shutter is carried by a rod 2E), which extends outward F through a packing gland 2l on the wall of the housing Iii, and a spring 22, compressed between a collar 23 von the shaft and a bracket 25 rigid with the housing structure, yieldingly secures the shutter in seated position. The shaft 2Il extends beyond the bracketA 24 and is equipped with a handle 25, and a dial 26 is provided on the bracket, as shown, for purposes presently to be described.

In normal pump operation the port IE is closed, and the liquid being pumped is drawn upward through the intake 3|v and check valve 32, and then inward and downward through the primer chamber I3 into the impeller chamber Il of the pump. Under the influence of the rapidly rotating impeller S the liquid is delivered from the pump through outlet 8, outletl chamber llt and delivery pipe 33.

When the operation of the pump is interrupted, the flow of fluid stops, and the check valve 32 Closes. The delivery pipe 33, outlet chamber Ill, passageways I2 and 8, impeller chamber 4, inlet passageways l and I I, and primer chamber I3 are iilled with liquid, and under such conditions the pump may, manifestly, be started up without priming. However, it is found that when a pump u pump is vented, under buoyancy,

is allowed to stand idle for a substantial interval of time an air or gas pocket forms in the intake passageways between the check valve and impeller chamber of the pump, whereby, when the pump is s-tarted up the air or gas prevents the development of adequate suction to draw liquid upward in the intake 3|. The pump is said to be gas bound.

In overcomingthis objection in the pump of the present'invention, the handle 25 is pulled outward (to the left in Figure l) and turned before, or when, the pump is started up. This moves the shutter I'I from position in which it closes the port I6, and in consequence the air or gas entrapped in the inlet passageways of the the effect of its inherent through the port I5 and into the outlet chamber III and delivery pipe 33, while liquid from the latterlchamber and pipe flows through the port I6 to takeA the place of the vented gas. Accordingly, the pump may be placed in operation at normal speed, which is the speedthat aords most eicient operation of the pump, as mentioned above. 1

After the pump has been set in operation, the port I6 is reclosed, ifmaximum output of the pump is desired. But if it be desired to operate the pump at les-s than maximum output, withthe pump operating at normal speed, theV shutter is allowed to remain positioned with theport I uncovered, in consequence of which there is a recirculation of the pumped liquid from the outn let chamber to the primer chamber. The output of the pump is reduced by the amount of the recirculation. The index or dial 25 on the end of the bracket 24 maybe calibrated as shown in Figure 2, and thus the position of the handle 25 may be used to indicate the position of the shutter I1, to provide any desired output between a pre-I determined maximum and minimum.

Several additional features are to be noted of the device of this invention. It willbe observed that the primer chamber I3 "is formed to provide a substantial spaceffor 'containing liquid below the point at which liquid enters such chamber from the check valve, wherefore, if the check valve should happen to leak when the pump is shut down, the back syphonage of water through the pipe 3l cannot prevent a self-priming operation of the pump, since in the lower portion of the primer chamber I3 there will always be an adequate quantity of liquid for the purpose.

A baille 2l extends transversely of the primer chamber I3, and this ybaille faces the by-p'ass or port I6 and is spaced at an interval therefrom. Incidentally, an observation and cleanout port is provided above the baffleand is normally closed by a plug 2l. It will be noted that the baille obstructs direct ilow between the port I@ and the upper portion of the passage II leading from the check valve 32. The baffle extends downward such distancebthat its lower edge will lie below the surface of the body of water contained in the lower half of the primer chamber I3 when the pump is at rest, while the upper edge of the baffle stops short of the top of chamber I3. Thus, when theshutter I1 is opened to vent trapped gas, the lgas in the inlet passageway leading from the check valve is free to ow over the upper edge of the baffle and enter the port I6, while the iluid surging back through the port from the outlet passages strikes the baie and flows beneath the lower edge ,thereof, that i's,if the pump is not in operation at the time. If the pump should be in operation the back-surging'liquid enters the lefigaro?- intake ofv the'pump, and establishes conditions that bring. the; pump intonormal operation without the necessity of priming.

The bailleisalso. AValuablewhen the. pump is operating continuously at" less thanA maximum capacita?"r that is, with the shutter in partially.; or'

fully! open; position.. UnderY suchV circumstances the liquidi recirculatingor. owing.- back through thecport` l Sistrikesthe baille and'isdeflecteddownwardly, toi enterA the pump' inlet 1 in a stream paralleling the stream enteringthefpump by'way of the check valve.. This featureis-of importance in the provision Yof a variable output self-priming pump" structure.

Within the spirit ofY theinvention definedv in the appended claims, many modifications and variations are permissible.

I claim as my invention: 1. In a centrifugal pump having Va pumping chamber with a rotary pumping member therein, an inlet passageway including a check valve at a in various now-controlling positions with respect` to said port, whereby the output of the pump operating at normal speed may be regulated.

2. A unit for attachment to a rotary pump having an inlet and an outlet, said unit including a body having inlet and outlet passageways extending therethrough for connection severally to said inlet and outlet of the pump, a non-clog port between said passageways in said unit, and an upwardly extending baille arranged in the line of flow through said inlet passageway, said baffle being spaced from and extending transversely of said port and providing adjacent to its top and bottom for flow from one side of the baille to the other, with provisions for the flow of liquid and gas around the baille.

3. A unit for attachment to a rotary pump having an inlet and an outlet, said unit including a body having inlet and outlet passageways extending therethrough for connection severally to said inlet and outlet of the pump, a non-clog port between said passageways in said unit, and a baille arranged in the line oi' flow through said inlet passageway, said baille being spaced from and extending transversely of said port, a clearance for the passage of gas adjacent to the top of said baille, and a clearance for the flow of liquid adjacent to the bottom of said baille.

4. A unit for attachment to a rotary pump having an inlet and an outlet, said unit including a body having inlet and outlet passageways extending therethrough for connection severally to said inlet and outlet of the pump, a non-clog port between said passageways in said unit, and baille arranged in the line of flow through said inlet passageway, said baille being spaced fromV extendingV frorna-point above said chamber downwardlyy thereto and including a check" valvev aboveA said chamber, andV an outlet passageway extending upwardly'irom saidchamber; a prim-- ing device comprising aprimingchamber in said inletI passageway, anon-clog port between: saidv priming chamber andsaidoutlet passageway, an'- upwardly-extendlngbaille in said priming cham- ,ber-4 arrangedin spaced'relationV with respect tofr saidV port and' having clearances for flowadjacent toits top and bottom, a shutter for said port, andl meansz for moving said shutter fromv port-closing position into afposition in which gasVv accumulating insaidfchamber when the pump is at rest may be vented into said outlet passageway and liquid from the latter passageway may be introduced to said priming chamber.

6. In combination with a pump having a pumping chamber provided with an inlet passageway extending from a point above said chamber downwardly thereto and including a checkl valve above said chamber, and an outlet passageway extending upwardly from said chamber; a priming device comprising a priming chamber in said inlet passageway, a non-clog port between said priming chamber and said outlet passageway, a baille extending transversely of said priming chamber and arranged in spaced relation with respect to Vsaid port, a passage for the ow of gas adjacent to the top of said baille, a passage for the ilow of liquid adjacent to the bottom of said and extending transversely of said port, aY clear- Y ance for the passage of gas adjacent to the top of said baille, and a clearance for the flow of liquid adjacent to the bottom oi said baille, a

shutter for said port, and means for moving saidbaiilaa shutter for said port, and means for moving said shutter from port-closing position into a position in which gas accumulating in said chamber when the pump is at rest may be vented into said outlet passageway and liquid from the latter pasageway .may be introduced to said priming chamber.

'7. For combination with a pump having walls forming a pumping chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet passageway extending upwardly from the pumping chamber, a priming device having a priming chamber arranged above said pump inlet and communicating therewith, said priming chamber having an inlet passage with a check valve, a partition between said priming chamber and said outlet passageway, a non-clog port in said partition, a shutter for said port, and means extending inwardly through the wall of said outlet passageway for moving said shutter from port-closing into open position in which gas in said priming chamber is Vented into said outlet passageway and liquid from the latter passageway is introduced to said priming chamber for priming the pump when it is set in operation.

8. For combination with a pump having walls Y forming a pumping chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet passageway extending upwardly from the pumping chamber, a priming device having a priming chamber arranged above said pump inlet and communicating therewith, said priming chamber having an inlet passage with a check valve, a partition between said priming chamber and said outlet passageway, a non-clog port in said partition, a shutter for said port, and means extending inwardly through the wallof said outlet passageway for moving said shutter from port-closing into open position in which gasl in said priming chamber is vented into said outlet passageway and liquid from the latter passageway is introduced to said priming chamber for priming the pump when it is set in operation.

9. A unit for attachment to a rotary pump having an inlet and an outlet, said unit includingna body having inlet and outlet passageways extendingtherethrough for connection severally t0,said inlet and outlet of the pump, a non-clog port between thepassageways in said unit, an upwardly extending baie spaced from said port and arranged in the line of ow through Vsaid inlet passageway, transverse passages adjacent to the top and to'thebottom of said baiiie, a shutter for said port, and means for adjusting said shutter in various port-controlling positions, whereby the4 output of the pump Y,operating at normal speed may be regulated.

i DANIEL WRPHY.

` Number REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

